Bicyclist struck by driver on bike trail

Mehak Chopra, 28, was charged with driving while intoxicated and felony hit and run after driving her car on a Vienna bike trail and hitting a cyclist. (Courtesy of Fairfax County Police Department.)

WASHINGTON – A 65-year-old bicyclist was seriously injured on Saturday when a motorist drove onto a bike trail for up to five miles and hit him.

Fairfax County police say Mehak Chopra, 28, of McLean, Va., drove her 2005 Toyota at a “high rate of speed” on the W & OD Trail around 8:30 p.m., coming up behind the cyclist and striking him without slowing down.

The cyclist was thrown from his bike and landed on the shoulder of the trail.

Chopra continued driving on the trail into the Town of Vienna where a police officer saw her heading toward Tysons Corner. The officer had heard the lookout for the reckless driver and pulled her over on the 300 block of Maple Avenue.

During the incident, Vienna police got several calls from residents who said they had to jump out of the way to avoid collision.

Chopra was charged with driving while intoxicated and felony hit and run. She was taken to the Adult Detention Center in Fairfax County.